OUR CHANGING WORLD

 

A new newspaper, Christiangraphic, has recently begun among Christian Churches. The April issue told of a 2 million dollar edifice to be erected by Chapel Rock Christian Church in Indianapolis, and of 30,822 baptisms in a Revival Fires effort in India. The sub rate is 3.00 per annum and the address is 717 Main St., Clay City, IN 47841.

The March, 1977 issue of Contending for the Faith had these words from one Ray Hawk, a brother who is more peaceful than his name suggests: “Carl Ketcherside and Leroy Garrett switched from an extreme anti-ism to liberalism. At first very few paid any attention to this switch. After all, what could two men do? Today the philosophy of these two men has invaded the ranks of the church of Christ. Even the anti-Bible class and anti-cooperation elements of the church have been affected. The Gospel Guardian, which is the vocal journal of the antis almost fell to the liberals when its editorial staff espoused the Ketcherside and Garrett line. How have two men been able to gain the ears of so many within the church?”

In a recent report to the alumni, President Bok of Harvard revealed that the university had refused a gift of one million dollars from a foreign government that is totalitarian and regarded the donation primarily an instrument of its foreign policy. Harvard also refused to participate in a huge health-care program in the Middle East because Jews were not allowed to participate. May we assume that our Church of Christ-Christian Church schools show the same moral sensitivity?

One concerned Disciple of Christ writes that “Kansas City was a tragedy,” referring especially to the homosexual thing, and to the prospect of the Disciples uniting with the United Church of Christ, which already ordains homosexuals to their ministry. Another leading Disciple. now retired, is so disturbed that he believes that “the Independent movement is now the only hope for the Disciples.” A Continuing Committee has been set up, a sort of task force, to take appropriate action if the Disciples should unite with the UCC or vote to ordain homosexuals. There is fear in Canada that the Disciples will split if they vote in August to join the UCC. But President Teagarten of the Disciples has explained that there was no vote either way on homosexuality. The reso1ution was to take no position, to leave the matter open for study. That of course is what disturbed many Disciples, that the delegates took no position once the question was raised. All this led me to reread Dr. W. E. Garrison’s Fork in the Road address in which he gave the pros and cons of the Disciples becoming “a tight little denomination.” He thought that while the structure and agencies might be improved the Disciples would do well to remain as they were, even if the assembled convention could not speak “officially” for “the church.” Even though he was one of the wisest and most honored of all Disciples, they did not listen to him. And now Kansas City! But he was too kind and too good to say I told you so!, and we are not saying it for him posthumously. Rather we are urging loving forbearance toward our Disciple sisters and brothers, and that we withhold any cruel judgments, remembering that we are all imperfect members of His imperfect church on earth. I happen to know that many, many Disciples not only love our Lord Jesus Christ, but they also treasure their heritage as much as any of the rest of us. We must believe that their official resolutions and ecumenical overtures are a sincere effort to act responsibly for His church, even if we disagree.

Writing in Broadway Bulletin (Lubbock, Texas), published by one of the largest Churches of Christ in the world, Charles Hodge writes: “There are at least 27 factions (splits) in the Restoration Movement … What will it take? Cannot the cross of Christ bring us together? Cannot the cross transcend our pettiness? What will it take to teach us brotherhood, patience, understanding, kindness, longsuffering, forgiveness and love? Why destroy ourselves over something that will be trivial within a few short years?”

The Central Church of Christ in Irving, Texas recently conducted a “Prophecy Conference” in which at least three different positions on the millennium was presented by brethren who held those positions, and it was well attended by those of all persuasions. I was asked to present Alexander Campbell’s view on the millennium since he could not be there to do it for himself. Allowing premillennialists, etc., to speak for themselves was in contrast to another conference at an area Church of Christ where premillennialism was lambasted by more than a score of speakers, but there wasn’t a single premillennialist on the program, and probably not one in the audience. But straw men were scattered all over the place, slain in battle by brave commandos! The Central church’s way of doing it is in keeping with our great heritage, where all sides of an issue are presented freely and openly, and the audience given an opportunity to question the speakers.